Participants were 360 (52.2% male) ethnically diverse and academically at-risk first-grade children attending one of three school districts in southeast and central Texas. Using latent variable structural equation modeling, we tested a theoretical model positing that the quality of the teacher-student relationship in first grade predicts…

This review addresses several areas of contemporary research in children's peer relationships during the elementary and middle school years, with primary foci on children's peer acceptance, the ability to make and maintain friendships, and their participation in larger peer networks. It is argued that children's psychosocial development may be…

Presents a response to the three commentaries on the authors' original article, "Childhood Peer Relationships: Social Acceptance, Friendships, and Peer Networks" (this issue). Highlights those features of the commentaries the authors found most instructive, and that they hope researchers from developmental psychology, educational psychology, and…

The characters of this study were two boys in a class for pupils with learning disabilities. After an initial assessment, which revealed that the inappropriate verbalizations occurred about twice each day, the peer-manager, contingent on each inappropriate remark, moved away from the subject to another desk explaining to the subject why he was…

Examines the perceptions of self and the attachment relationship to parents in aggressive and nonaggressive rejected children, as compared to children with an average or popular sociometric status. Results generally confirmed the assumption that only the nonaggressive rejected children perceive themselves as less competent and worthy as a person…

The purpose of this study is to examine whether peer relations within classrooms were related to students' academic progress, and if so, whether this can be explained by students' relatedness and engagement, in line with Connell and Wellborn's self-system model. We analyzed data of 18,735 students in 796 school classes in Dutch junior high…

Presents a response to Gifford-Smith and Brownell's "Childhood Peer Relationships: Social Acceptance, Friendships, and Peer Networks" (this issue). Focuses on the interaction of context, children's social skillfulness, and the type of peer relationship targeted as central elements in conceptualizing effective interventions. (Contains 12…

Behavioral descriptors were identified as variant or invariant predictors of perceived popularity in a sample of 516 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children located in 26 majority-Black or majority-White classrooms. Athletic ability, prosocial behavior, being "cool", social withdrawal, and "personal privilege" (i.e., having a lot of expensive…

Uses longitudinal data to determine whether a positive view of perceived peer acceptance is a risk factor for continued aggression and social rejection for aggressive children. Results indicate that perceived peer acceptance did not predict aggression. However, children who reported higher levels of perceived peer acceptance received lower actual…

The current study involved a comprehensive comparative examination of overt and relational aggression and victimization across multiple perspectives in the school setting (peers, teachers, observers in the lunchroom, self-report). Patterns of results involving sociometic status, ethnicity and gender were explored among 4th graders, with particular…

Presents a response to Gifford-Smith and Brownell's "Childhood Peer Relationships: Social Acceptance, Friendships, and Peer Networks" (this issue). A focus on enhancing social competence within the context of classrooms designed to accommodate the needs of all students is presented as an integrated framework for applying research concerning…

Examined dimensions of social competence by several measures of adaptive behavior, social skills, and peer acceptance among 452 elementary school students. Found method of measurement to be most important factor in assessment of social competence. Considers interacting influences of method, setting, and content on assessment of social competence.…

The effectiveness of teachers in identifying children who experience peer relationship difficulties was examined by comparing populations selected by teacher ratings and sociometric nomination procedures. Results revealed teachers were successful in identifying those who experienced the most severe peer rejection and were most likely to select…

The association between bullying behaviour and academic achievement was investigated in 1016 children from primary schools (6-7-year-olds/year 2: 480; 8-9-year-olds/year 4: 536). Children were individually interviewed about their bullying experiences using a standard interview. Key Stage I National Curriculum results (assessed at the end of year…

Investigated the use of popular students in promoting the acceptance of socially neglected children. Results from fifth- and sixth-grade students suggest that popular students can be effectively directed to enhance the acceptance of socially neglected children. (Author/ABB)